OLR Report 2014-R-0084 summarizes Connecticut law on dental assistants, and provides examples of dental assistant training requirements in other states.
Connecticut law does not require dental assistants to be licensed. To take dental x-rays, dental assistants must pass an exam. Connecticut law does not otherwise set requirements for dental assistants’ education or training. The law prohibits dental assistants from performing various procedures, and requires dentists to supervise assistants performing delegated dental procedures.
The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) is the national certification board for dental assistants. According to DANB, the majority of states, like Connecticut, set certain requirements for dental assistants to be allowed to take x-rays; this often includes passing a DANB examination. Unlike Connecticut, many states provide for different levels of dental assistants, allowing assistants with additional training or education to perform more tasks than those without such experience.
For more information, read the full report.
